Token Character
Tokenism is the policy or practice of making a perfunctory gesture toward the inclusion of members of minority groups. This token effort is usually intended to create a false appearance of inclusiveness and deflect accusations of discrimination. Typical examples include purposely hiring a non-white person in a mainly white occupation or a woman in a traditionally male occupation. Classically, token characters have some reduced capacity compared to the other characters and may have bland or inoffensive personalities so as to not be accused of stereotyping negative traits. Alternatively, their differences may be overemphasized or made "exotic" and glamorous.
Read more about Token Character: Tokenism in The Workplace, Tokenism in Fiction, Tokenism in Politics, References
Famous quotes containing the words token and/or character:
“It doesn’t make any difference how much money a father earns, his name is always Dad-Can-I.... Like all other children, my five have one great talent: they are gifted beggars. Not one of them ever ran into the room, looked up at me, and said, “I’m really happy that you’re my father, and as a tangible token of my appreciation, here’s a dollar.””
—Bill Cosby (20th century)
“Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)